Oppression and Violence in the USA

This is a repost of thoughts I put on Facebook earlier today. I figured I’d reach a different audience this way…

The United States has a unique and very complex problem with oppression and violence. It is unique because our country is the most powerful country in the world. It is a problem, not only because we use violence to control our enemies, but because our culture teaches us that any violence is always justified towards our enemies, that those in power can do whatever they want to those that are powerless, as long as that person has been labeled as an enemy; and that the oppressed are the enemy, so any violence done to them is justified. Does everyone now see the problem? If not, please read the attached article from Wikipedia on structural (and cultural) violence. I thought it was also interesting that there is no main entry for cultural violence. Hmmm…